Wine #3Easily the funkiest of the bunch. Ripe, big, meat, leather and a bit o’ barnyard. Perplexing, I was thinking more Rhonish, but as it got some air Burgundy became a better bet. Really developed nicely in glass.2009 Pavelot “Serpentieres “ Savigny-les-Beaune 1er B+/A-

After flight, Mark revealed that entire tasting would be Savigny (he wanted to point out the value)

Flight 2Bottles still covered, thought we knew now was Savigny, I thought #5 was from a much riper vintage than other 2, but apparently Mark had already said all 2009 while I was daydreaming.

Last flight was fully revealed1995 Ecard “ Narbantons” Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Just a touch of brett, meaty, lots of floral notes, I liked more than the table. A-/B+

1995 Ecard “Serpentieres “ Savigny-les-Beaune 1erServed a little cold as it was a replacement for a corked bottle. Nice balance, pretty fruit, good length. A-/B+

1990 Ecard “Serpentieres “ Savigny-les-Beaune 1erWow, this was beautiful. Round and ripe but with no hint of roasted notes, earth and mushroom, an unusual little iodine note that was faint enough to add complexity but not detract at all. Mark said best Savigny he’s ever had, who am I to argue? A/A-

Fun night. Mark finished by passing a 2008 Niepoort single quinta port, which I neglected to note details on but thought quite good.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellentwine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at aparty where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises ofobjectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

I like Savigny's as a rule and my favourite producer's are J-M Pavelot, particularly Simon Bize and Maurice Ecard with the odd offering that has occasionally taken my breath away from Leroy (Narbantons) with some good efforts also from Jadot and Bruno Clair (both Dominodes). Apart from the extortionist-like pricing of Madame's wine, this appellation still produces some bang for your buck.

I like Savigny's as a rule and my favourite producer's are J-M Pavelot, particularly Simon Bize and Maurice Ecard with the odd offering that has occasionally taken my breath away from Leroy (Narbantons) with some good efforts also from Jadot and Bruno Clair (both Dominodes). Apart from the extortionist-like pricing of Madame's wine, this appellation still produces some bang for your buck.

David, In addition to the producers you've named, have you tried the Savignys (or Pernands) from Rollin or Chandon de Briailles? And have you had recent Savignys from Écard? I've heard that the generational change there has produced stylistic changes.

Mark Lipton wrote: And have you had recent Savignys from Écard? I've heard that the generational change there has produced stylistic changes.

More than generational changes I believe. Maurice retired, and due to retirement/estate rules leased his vineyards and sold his domaine name to a negociant. So the "Domaine Maurice Ecard" wines starting either 2004 or 2005 are not made by any Ecard. Meanwhile, his son Michel (who had been #2 at Maurice Ecard for years) bought some vineyards and sells under Michel and Joanne (I think) Ecard. So similar winemaking, but not same vineyards.

Hoke wrote:2009 Drouhin “Clos des Godeaux” Savigny-les-Beaune Was this ready when you opened and served it, or did you have to wait for it?

I think that this had been open a bit while we arrived, and then was in 2nd flight. It improved in glass. But from beginning (of my pour) I thought lovely. I generally haven't thought the '09s have been closed down (though I haven't had many lately)

Mark Lipton wrote: And have you had recent Savignys from Écard? I've heard that the generational change there has produced stylistic changes.

More than generational changes I believe. Maurice retired, and due to retirement/estate rules leased his vineyards and sold his domaine name to a negociant. So the "Domaine Maurice Ecard" wines starting either 2004 or 2005 are not made by any Ecard. Meanwhile, his son Michel (who had been #2 at Maurice Ecard for years) bought some vineyards and sells under Michel and Joanne (I think) Ecard. So similar winemaking, but not same vineyards.

Yes, Dale, you gave the more detailed version: I was just giving the Cliff Notes version

I like Savigny's as a rule and my favourite producer's are J-M Pavelot, particularly Simon Bize and Maurice Ecard with the odd offering that has occasionally taken my breath away from Leroy (Narbantons) with some good efforts also from Jadot and Bruno Clair (both Dominodes). Apart from the extortionist-like pricing of Madame's wine, this appellation still produces some bang for your buck.

David,In addition to the producers you've named, have you tried the Savignys (or Pernands) from Rollin or Chandon de Briailles? And have you had recent Savignys from Écard? I've heard that the generational change there has produced stylistic changes.

Mark Lipton

I bought Chandon in the nineties and was underwhelmed. Their 1995's totally lacked fruit and were awful, and the 1996ers not much better and cursed with too much acid, although they may have come around with time in the bottle - I got rid of all of mine.

Rollin - have no experience with this producer.

Nothing from Ecard since 2002 vintage. Liked his older style - rustic stuff generally but built for the longer haul. 90, 93, 96, 99, 02 1ers were all very good - I liked the Serpentieres the best, followed by Narbantons. I noted the change of ownership.

Mark, figured you knew, but was just typing because I like to (and other people might not know). One thing I learned more recently was (hope I have this right) that Maurice SOLD his domaine name but LEASED the vineyards (for 15 or 20 years). So sometime in next 7-12 years those prime holdings will return to Michel. Whose style seems to be similar to his dad, but who has been hampered by lesser sources.

I have only had one Rollin - a PV actually (I think courtesy of the good Jay M)- but quite enjoyed.

Dale Williams wrote:I like some 90s CdB, but think they picked up their game about '99.

That's what I hear, although I forget all the gory details. I had some 98s and 96s and wasn't too enamored with them, but have been more or less positive about everything since 99.

Speaking of 99, I recently had a 99 Rapet Île des Vergelesses which showed too mature/generic for my tastes. Not at all like the 99 CdB IdV which is much more youthful and unevolved, at least last time I checked, which was maybe sometime in 2012?

Last edited by Rahsaan on Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Liked the couple of Auxeys I've had from Lafouge - the La Chapelle in particular is fantastic. Though Lafouge is the only producer there that I'm familiar with - who else there do you suggest exploring?

Salil wrote:Liked the couple of Auxeys I've had from Lafouge - the La Chapelle in particular is fantastic. Though Lafouge is the only producer there that I'm familiar with - who else there do you suggest exploring?

I really liked the Comte Armand Auxey 1er cru bottling in the early 2000s vintages, although haven't tasted recent efforts. The recent vintages I tasted of Lafouge were indeed very delicious, but almost suspiciously so! Young Cote de Beaune is not supposed to be that much fun, is it?

Hoke wrote:2009 Drouhin “Clos des Godeaux” Savigny-les-Beaune Was this ready when you opened and served it, or did you have to wait for it?

I think that this had been open a bit while we arrived, and then was in 2nd flight. It improved in glass. But from beginning (of my pour) I thought lovely. I generally haven't thought the '09s have been closed down (though I haven't had many lately)